100 Yen US Military Currency - B-Note

The B-series military yen was introduced by the U.S. occupation authorities immediately following Japan's surrender in August 1945, partly to prevent Japanese military and government stockpiles of regular currency from being used to manipulate postwar prices or purchase American goods and supplies. The "B" designation distinguished it from both ordinary Bank of Japan notes and the earlier Allied Military Currency issued for other theaters.

Printed by the American Banknote Company, the series was never intended as a long-term solution — the occupation authorities phased it out relatively quickly once the Bank of Japan resumed controlled issuance under SCAP supervision. Notes that saw heavy garrison use show distinctive wear patterns along the horizontal fold lines.